Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.
– John Muir
The Inside Scoop introduces another feature for 2010: Beautiful Spaces and Places! I’m starting the series in one of my favorite spaces of the home…the kitchen. I love to design kitchens because they require great planning and skill to make them functional, but also allow for creative flexibility to reflect a personal style. It’s the combination of technical and creative challenges that I relish!
Now, a few beautiful kitchens to enjoy and savor that recently caught my attention in a few of my favorite publications (and I had to add some commentary too)!
I’m a fan of open shelving in a kitchen. It obviously has pros and cons, but I find that it makes storage accessible and visible. It’s especially convenient in a kitchen with multiple chefs.
As with most interior spaces, lighting plays a huge role. Layering light with multiple sources offers the greatest flexibility to create a variety of moods.
Another kitchen with open shelving for display. Notice the mixture of countertop materials…love the wood island top.
I am always a fan of maximizing space and stacking cabinets to the ceiling. It definitely adds to the cost, but the visual impact is worth it. Do you agree?
This kitchen has so much visual interest….the beautiful texture in the backsplash, the clean lines of the farm sink, the mixture of countertop surfaces, and the mixture of wood finishes. Beautiful details that make a difference.
This is a kitchen I designed which was featured last year on the cover of Impressions magazine, the national publication for Delta Faucet Co. I lost count of how many requests I received from across the country inquiring about these pendant lights. For the record, they are from Murray Feiss but unfortunately have been discontinued.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so please take the time to design for function and aesthetics. You’ll be glad you did!
Images via Traditional Home, Southern Living, Coastal Living